H 4812 General Bill, By Bannister and Rutherford
 A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION
 17-15-70 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT AN APPEARANCE BOND IS VALID FOR A CERTAIN
 PERIOD OF TIME WHEN ASSIGNED IN CIRCUIT COURT AND ANOTHER PERIOD OF TIME WHEN
 ASSIGNED IN MAGISTRATES COURT AND AFTER THE TIME PERIOD RUNS THE SURETY IS
 RELIEVED OF LIABILITY.

   04/13/10  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-22
   04/13/10  House  Referred to Committee on Judiciary HJ-22

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 17-15-70 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT AN APPEARANCE BOND IS VALID FOR A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME WHEN ASSIGNED IN CIRCUIT COURT AND ANOTHER PERIOD OF TIME WHEN ASSIGNED IN MAGISTRATES COURT AND AFTER THE TIME PERIOD RUNS THE SURETY IS RELIEVED OF LIABILITY.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Chapter 15, Title 17 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 17-15-70.    An appearance bond is only valid for a period of two years from the date the bond is executed for charges assigned in circuit court and eighteen months for charges assigned in magistrates court. After this time, the surety is relieved of liability."

SECTION    2.    The repeal or amendment by this act of any law, whether temporary or permanent or civil or criminal, does not affect pending actions, rights, duties, or liabilities founded thereon, or alter, discharge, release or extinguish any penalty, forfeiture, or liability incurred under the repealed or amended law, unless the repealed or amended provision shall so expressly provide. After the effective date of this act, all laws repealed or amended by this act must be taken and treated as remaining in full force and effect for the purpose of sustaining any pending or vested right, civil action, special proceeding, criminal prosecution, or appeal existing as of the effective date of this act, and for the enforcement of rights, duties, penalties, forfeitures, and liabilities as they stood under the repealed or amended laws.

SECTION    3.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.